Warfare Quotes in Catching Fire

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

As the Peacekeepers fell, weapons were appropriated for the rebels. There was hope that this had not been an act of madness, that in some way, if they could get the word out to other districts, an actual overthrow of the government in the Capitol might be possible. (10.44)

As Snow indicated, war is brewing in Panem, and this is one of Katniss' first tastes of it. The people are desperate enough to try to attack the Peacekeepers as a first step to "an actual overthrow of the government." What worries Katniss is that she may be getting both the credit and the blame for this potential rebellion, and she didn't ask for any of it.

Quote #5

We sit in silence awhile and then I blurt out the thing that's on both our minds. "How are we going to kill these people, Peeta?" (16.93)

Unlike many soldiers in real wars, Katniss and Peeta don't have nationalism or patriotism to boost their spirits before they head into battle. They don't believe in the "cause" they're fighting for: kill or be killed. This isn't their war. After making it through the previous Games alive, now they have to turn around and head right back into battle again.

Quote #6

There. He's done it again. Dropped a bomb that wipes out the efforts of every tribute who came before him. Well, maybe not. Maybe this year he has only lit the fuse on a bomb that the victors themselves have been building. Hoping someone would be able to detonate it. Perhaps thinking it would be me in my bridal gown. Not knowing how much I rely on Cinna's talents, whereas Peeta needs nothing more than his wits. (18.28)

There are many different types of weapons in a war, and Peeta has just deployed an effective and often overlooked one: words. It's an interesting play against gender stereotypes that Peeta would be good with words and bad with fighting, while Katniss is the opposite. But that's what makes them a good team. She needs him outside the arena and he needs her inside it.